Indonesia and World Tourism News

Lovina watersports Bali

Taking to a trip to Lovina, on the north coast, can be a pleasant change from the busy shopping / party scene in Kuta.

One of the things you will notice instantly about Lovina, is the black sand beach and lack of large, crashing waves. The water is also several degrees warmer than on the south coast. This is a great news for divers and snorklers. Although serious divers will only use Lovina as a base, preferering to dive at Pemuteran or Menjangan, Lovina is great for snorkeling.

For people visiting Lovina, who want to arrange scuba diving, Spice Dive has 2 offices, one in Kaliasem, the other in Kalibukbuk, (0362) 41305. Spice Dive also operates Spice Cafe, which provides canoeing and wind surfing.
(0362) 41969

Dive operators in Lovina:

•Aquatropic
Has outlets on the main road in Lovina.
(0362)42038

•Baruna
Main road in Kalibukbuk and at Puri Bagus Hotel
(0362)41084, (0362)25542

•Malibu Dive
Many counters, plus outlet next to Malibu restaurant, and another on Jl. Bina Ria.
(0362)41062

•Moaka
On main road in Kalibukbuk
(0362)41968

•Permai
At Hotel Permai
(0362)41471

•Spice Dive
Kaliasem, also in Jl. Bina Ria and Jl. Mawar.
(0362)41305, (0362)41171

•Sunrise Dive
Jl. Bina Ria
(0362)411820

•Wisnu Resort
Main road across turning towards direction of Banyualit.
(0362)42319

Spice Dive accommodates paragliding for $15 per session, plus wake-boarding, waterskiing for $20 for 20 minutes. Also featured are banana boat rides.

Sailing, fishing and spear fishing are possible at Kubu Lalang restaurant.
(0362)42207. Negotiate your price, but you will be looking at something like 60,000rp per hour for fishing, 90,000rp per hour for the rest.

Remember to wear a hat, bring your sunnies and splash a handful of sunblock on you, when you take apart in these activities.

source : www.baliblog.com

Add comment October 9th, 2006

Bali Bomber’s wife caught in Philippines

The horrific bombing that took place in Kuta Bali in 2002, was planned by JI (Jemaah Islamiyah) operative, Dulmatin. His wife was arrested recently on the Philippine island of Jolo.

JI has links to other terrorist groups in Asia, include Abu Sayyaf, located in the southern Philippines. While considered a Catholic country, the Philippines has a large Muslim population on the island of Midanao, and its smaller neighbors. Kidnappings and smallscale bombings have been the modus operandi of terrorists here. The Filipino army has been chasing the Abu Sayyaf group for a while and the capture of Dulmatin’s wife, is a sure sign he is in the area. Great news for the relatives of the Bali Bombing victims. Let’s hope Dulmatin is brought to justice, or meets a sticky end, in the Philippine jungle.

source : www.baliblog.com

Add comment October 9th, 2006

Bali nightlife update provided by the Beat Magazine

Here is the rundown of upcoming nightlife events in Bali provided by the Beat Magazine.

•Friday Oct 6th

Subscribe to the Beat Magazine.
Get the beat delivered by post to your door anywhere in Indonesia.
12 months (26 issues) 240.000rp
6 months (13 issues) 120.000rp
includes transport in Bali and Java.
Special Oakley Offer - see website
Back Issues 10.000rp

The Beat is available from Circle K in Jakarta, Bandung and Yogya for Rp. 10.000, free at Circle K in Bali.

send name/address to:
subscribe@beatmag.com and we’ll send you payment details. Want to be on the beatlist and get uptodate info via email. Send an email to beatupdate@beatmag.com

source : www.baliblog.com

Add comment October 9th, 2006

Bali Forum Thread for the week of October 2, 2006

Check out this topic currently being discussed on the Bali Forum at BootsnAll:

Fletch will arrive in Bali in mid-October, and will need to fly to Semarang a few days later. So far, he’s been unable to find a website which will allow him to book the flight. Do you have a suggestion for a website he should check? Or a travel agent in Kuta who could handle it for him? Chime in with your input! And if you’re not already a member, sign-up here - it’s free!
source : www.baliblog.com

Add comment October 9th, 2006

Interview with Darvis: Painted photographs in Bali

Darvis is a one of a kind person I have run into, while living in Bali. Maybe Bali attracts unique people, or maybe they get that way after living here for a while. Whatever, this afternoon I talked to Darvis about his life in Bali, his painted photographs, and his company, AsiaImages.

As his website says, ‘Darvis has been a freelance photographer for over twenty years. He has traveled extensively and pursues an avid interest in history, archeology and documenting our dissappearing civilization. He shoots his pictures then reinterprets the original images through the media of toning and water colour. This creates a finished image which is a blend of photography and painting. This medium was originally an option used by traditional artists to make a portrait affordable. Only the rich could commission an original painting.Today with the advent of the digital camera analog photography and the silver based print is a dying art; add to this the medium of hand tinting and we have an art form that is becoming as scarce as the ethnic imagery he shoots. The images and medium convey the feeling of a time lost under the wheels of progress.

I wanted to pop a few questions off at him and learn about his creative process. Here goes.

Name: Darvis
Age: 54
From: Bristol UK
Background: Steiner school education, creative arts, channelled through the photographic medium. Worked in Paris and Canada in the photographic industry, developing his style there. Moved to Bali in 1991 and formed AsiaImages in 2004. AsiaImages is a vehicle for the diffusion of his personal arts style, which is hand painted, black & white photography.

Baliblog:
Darvis you are an ‘old school’ photographer, using Nikon and Hasselblad cameras, and regular film. Why?
Darvis:
It is a manual art, that requires a level of observation that appears to be unnecesary in digital photography. Digital does not enable the user, to develop their senses of perceprtion and depth, its flat, The ability to delete, means people often don’t concentrate as much.

The art of photography is to freeze time and space, you freeze it in a framework. So the test of a good photographer, is to choose the right moment, in which to freeze that frame.

Baliblog:
You are an expert printer. Why it that part so important to you?
Darvis:
Developing your own images gives far greater control over the end results.

Baliblog:
How easy is this to do in Bali?
Darvis:
In Bali its possible to do, but its getting harder. Ilford is closing apparently. I only use 400 ASA, Ilford has a beautiful tonal range and graininess, I feel works best with my style.

Baliblog:
Why do you prefer grainy images?
Darvis:
They have a texture, that renders my imagery timeless.

Baliblog:
Do people sometimes think the photos are out of focus?
Darvis: I can’t tell you what other people percieve. I can tell you from card sales, that they appear to like what they are buying. The graininess gives a certain softness, it allows the image to take on a virtual feeling of almost being a painting, once it has been hand painted.

Baliblog:
You use a sepia (brown) tone, in your photos. Why do you choose this?
Darvis: All images are sepia. I like sepia, as it gives a warmth to the images, and makes them archival. Certain sepias are virtually black and white.

Baliblog:
You handpaint your black & white / sepia images. Why do you do this and how is it done?
Darvis: My early influence was Jan Saudek. I first started whilst in Quebec City, and was influenced by a certain school of photography, that was going on at that time. I liked the softness, it gave to an image.

Baliblog:
Here in Bali how do you go about the process of painting an image?
Darvis:
I start off with printing my own images in the darkroom, getting a large print, sepia toning the image, and then painting the image using aquarel watercolor. The finished image is then scanned, and the produced as a greeting card / poster / calendar, with a view to developing many other products, from t-shirts to journals.

Baliblog:
People around the world will be fascinated by your artistic, somewhat idyllic lifestyle, living here in Bali, earning a living from the art that you love. Any thoughts on that?
Darvis:
In life, if you are not doing what you love, you shouldn’t be doing it. You have to realize your dreams. Living here and doing this, was my dream. If your follow your dreams, you can find the satisfaction in life, that you are looking for. For me, getting leukemia pushed me to develop the business.

Baliblog:
What are some of the drawbacks to your style of art?
Darvis:
Drawbacks to developing the style of imagery that I have developed, include the onrush of 21st century development. The discarding of traditional values, the excess of electric wires, jean and t-shirts, and the speed of contempory transportation, shipping western crap around the world as fast as possible.

Baliblog:
Your company is called ‘Asia Images’: Why Asia?
Darvis:
Its a more tranquil lifestyle, the subject matter still retains a level of exoticism, that no longer exists in the west.

Baliblog:
When you are on a photo shoot, what do you focus on?
Darvis:
Tranquility, peacefulness, harmony. The dignity of man’s spirit.

Baliblog:
Do you have any tips for travel photographers?
Darvis:
Patience. Walk a lot when you get to where you want to be.

Baliblog:
Your company (inspiration), AsiaImages, has how many staff?
Darvis:
AsiaImages has 4 staff.

Baliblog:
Where are your future trips going to take you?
Darvis:
Ladahk is the next main goal, and hopefully Africa, Morocco.

Baliblog:
Your website features your collection of erotic images. What is your definition of an erotic image?
Darvis:
An erotic image, is a tasteful depiction of the sensuality of the human form. In my instance the female form.

Baliblog:
What constitutes an exceptional erotic image?
Darvis:
Stimulation of desire.

Baliblog:
What is the difference between and erotic images and pornography.
Darvis:
Pornography is bad photography with no attention to detail. Are you intending to just titilate, or convey a sense of the aesthetic?

Darvis has a great collection of hand painted photographs from around the world. One of my favourites is called Hand of Buddha. If you are interested in posters, greeting cards or calendars, contact Darvis.

source : www.baliblog.com

Add comment October 9th, 2006

Bali Botanical Gardens: Candikuning

A ride to to Bedugal can take a pleasant side track in Candi Kuning. The Bali Botanical Gardens are located to the west of the main road, and are accessed by turning left at the corn knob statue, and heading down a small side road, just south of the market area.

The Bali Botanical Gardens, also known as Kebun Raya Eka Karya Bali, and covers 154 hectares. The gardens, or more accurately, forest, contain 1,753 plant species.

Arriving at the park entrance, you will find parking for cars and motorbikes, with a nominal parking fee. Entry to the park is permitted for cars but not motorbikes. On weekends the park gets busy with Balinese locals, but during the week, makes a relaxing place for a picnic or just to stretch out.

The Bali Botanical Gardens is owned by the Forestry Deparrment and is run by the Institute of Sciences. On the site of the park are 3 temples, Pura Teratai Bang, Pura Giri Putri and Pura Batumeringgit. There is also a library and herbarium for studing the plants of the area.

A guide booklet is sold at the entrance to the park for $3. It contains details of 6 guided walks you can take. There is guide information about the 100 bird species here and walking around with a Balinese guide, you will learn about the plants used in traditional Balinese rituals and ceremonies.

Bali Botanical Gardens is open daily from 8am-4pm

source : www.baliblog.com

Add comment October 9th, 2006

Sunday in Yeh Gangga Bali

Sunday here in Bali was spent for me, exploring the beach, roads and rice paddies of Yeh Gangga, just up the coast from Tanah Lot.

The area is almost totally untouristed, has sweeping, empty, dark sand beaches. Rice paddies come right down to the back of the beach and you can see the water, that has trickled all the way from the mountains, making it final descent to the beach.

I was intending to follow a hike suggesed in my guidebook, but the directions were a bit sketchy. I ended up bushwhacking through dry paddy fields, which were like ovens, tethered cattle looking on, and my wondering how long it would take, to get back to my motorbike. There is some lovely scenery though, around Yeh Gangga, and people were nice. More on that trip besok (that’s tommorrow for you touro’s).

source : www.baliblog.com

Add comment October 9th, 2006

Bali Bomber’s wife caught in Philippines

The horrific bombing that took place in Kuta Bali in 2002, was planned by JI (Jemaah Islamiyah) operative, Dulmatin. His wife was arrested recently on the Philippine island of Jolo.

JI has links to other terrorist groups in Asia, include Abu Sayyaf, located in the southern Philippines. While considered a Catholic country, the Philippines has a large Muslim population on the island of Midanao, and its smaller neighbors. Kidnappings and smallscale bombings have been the modus operandi of terrorists here. The Filipino army has been chasing the Abu Sayyaf group for a while and the capture of Dulmatin’s wife, is a sure sign he is in the area. Great news for the relatives of the Bali Bombing victims. Let’s hope Dulmatin is brought to justice, or meets a sticky end, in the Philippine jungle.

source : www.baliblog.com

Add comment October 9th, 2006